Irma Emma Martens

Irma (Schwarz) Martens

Our precious Mama passed away peacefully on Monday, July 18, with her daughters by her side.  She left not a moment too soon for her, but way too soon for those of us who loved her.   Irma Emma Schwarz was born June 12, 1921, the second child of TJ and Alma Schwarz.  She grew up in a German Lutheran community with faithful Christian parents and always knew her Lord & Savior.  She lived each day of her life as a servant of God and was an example and role model to all who knew her. 

Irma enjoyed the company and friendship of her siblings, Lillian, Melba, Paul, Florence, Larry and Bernie.  They were always a close-knit loving family and enjoyed special times with extended family.  Irma’s childhood was described best with her own words:  “The farm was a good place to grow up.  We didn’t always think it was so great, milking cows by hand, pumping water from a cistern for the stock, slopping pigs, gathering eggs when a cluck was on the nest and tried to keep you from getting the eggs, hoeing beans, picking berries, and lots of other chores.  We always had time to play though.  As we grew older, we realized how great it was to grow up on the farm and just how fortunate we were.”  As sweet as Mama was, she also had an ornery streak and especially enjoyed making mischief with brother Paul; but we won’t mention a barn that burned down or geese that were herded through the house.

In her teen and young adult years she was also very involved in Walther League and had so many fun outings—conventions, picnics, wagon rides, watermelon feeds, and camping, to name a few.  She also faithfully wrote to all the servicemen from home who were serving in WW II; she probably never knew the impact those “letters from home” meant to the men fighting for our country.

As a young woman, she worked for local families, the most significant was the family who had a young son who had a brain tumor; our Mom cared for the other child so the parents could focus on their sick child.   She also worked at the luncheon counter in Eden; at a bean house in Filer while living in a small tourist cabin with friend Mildred and sister Melba.  She had a grand adventure when she moved to Phoenix with her best friend Mildred.  They lived with their friends Herb and Lil Bangert, and she worked as a clerk at a Kress store.  After returning home to Eden, a handsome young Air Corp Reserve member also returned home, and the love story of Herman and Irma began.  Irma’s younger brother Larry and Herman’s younger brother Ranny claimed responsibility for setting them up, but however it happened, it was abiding love, and they were married on December 26, 1945.  Mama and Daddy were a true team and they loved, cherished, and supported each other for the next 60 years.

Irma and Herman were blessed with four daughters, Donna, Lorene, Sharon, and Bonnie.  They raised their daughters in a Christian home where songs about Jesus were sung at naptime , prayers were said before bedtime, devotions were read and discussed daily, church and Sunday school were priorities, and serving others was a part of life.  Each of their girls grew up knowing they were loved by Jesus and that their real Home was in Heaven.   

Raising their girls on the farm involved working together and playing together.  Mama clothed her girls in beautiful hand-sewn clothes; she made every wedding dress for all of her daughters as well as many, many bridesmaid dresses.   Summers were spent working on the farm, picnics in the South Hills and special trips to Uncle Rudolf and Aunt Lois’s cabin; winters were spent ice skating and later snowmobiling.   Family trips were always to see family who lived out of state.   Family time was precious; our Mom always loved having her kids at home in the summer and regretted when they had to return to school in the fall. 

While raising her family, Mama had the patience of Job as she taught Sunday School to three and four year olds for over 20 years.  She also served in many positions on the LWML and the Good Shepherd Auxiliary.  She had a talent for gardening and especially loved roses; her flower beds were a delight to see.  She canned her produce each fall and was happy to share the bounty with her girls.  She was also an avid scrap booker, and chronicled much family history that can be passed on to future generations.

Mama and Daddy were thrilled once grandkids began arriving.  They helped their girls in so many ways by babysitting, making special clothes, and spoiling the grandkids every chance they got.  Her pantry was always full, and grandkids loved to wander into the pantry to find that special something Grandma had waiting for them.  She cooked amazing home-made meals and always had something that she knew each grandchild would like to eat.  She took them on three-wheeler rides, bought special games and toys, remembered each birthday; they all knew they were special, unique, and loved by Grandma.

Mama and Daddy sold their farm just before their 50th wedding anniversary and moved to Twin Falls.  They did it as a gift of love to each other and for their family.  Mama knew it was hard for Daddy to watch someone else farm his land; Daddy didn’t want Mama to be saddled with the farm after he passed; neither wanted their girls to have to make the difficult choice to sell the farm when they were gone.  They knew God was in their decision and that the perfect family took over the care of the farm.  

Irma’s beloved Herman died in October, 2006.  She cared for him faithfully until his last breath.  After Daddy’s passing, she stayed in her own home until she was almost 93.  In May 2014, when she broke her ankle, she moved to Syringa Place for respite care with the plan to return to her home.  But she found that assisted living offered many benefits over living alone and soon decided to stay there permanently.  This became a new home for her, and she was loved and cherished by everyone who knew her.   She was, however, plagued by a pesky squirrel that was intent on eating out of her bird feeder; she threatened to take it by the tail and sling it off into the distance (that squirrel is breathing a sigh of relief today).  She celebrated her 95th birthday on June 12 of this year and was amazed and delighted at the 76 guests who came that day; she couldn’t believe that so many people would come for her celebration.  She was humble to the end.

Survivors include her daughters, Donna (Richard) Ames, Lorene (Roger) Schroeder, Sharon (Jerry) Rohnert, Bonnie (Doug) Raper; grandchildren, Christy (Todd) Davis, Adam (Ellen) Ames, Kurt (Brenda) Schroeder, Kent (Shayna) Schroeder, Kyle (Deydree) Schroeder, Ashlee Rohnert, Heather Rohnert, Todd Raper, Kristin (Justin) Jackson, and Jessica (Scott) Hamilton; 18 great grandchildren and 13.5 great great grandchildren.  Also, she is survived by three siblings, Florence (Ed) Lutz, Larry (Anna) Schwarz, and Bernie (Joan) Schwarz, sister-in-law Mary Schwarz, plus many beloved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Herman, her parents, sisters Lillian and Melba, and brother Paul.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Syringa Place and Horizon Home Health & Hospice for their faithful and loving care of our Mama.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to two of Irma’s favorite charities:  Lutheran Hour Ministries and Immanuel Lutheran School